The Press., 1887-06-09
LOCAL roPrCs-PErn,D AND sClssORED
HOLLAND COUNTY GEOGRAPHY.

HOLLAND COUNTY GEOGRAPHY.
 A recent contributor to The Press had something to say of Connecticut geoqra- phy. Webster defines geography Ca de- scription of the earth surface" It would indeed call forth the best energies of an adroit pen to describe the surface of Con- necticut.
 During recent sojourn of few weeks among the good people of Somers we took Q drive to Wilmington, a trip which gives confused idea of the geography of Holland County. One fine morning we, company of friends, started on our journey in a commodions vehicle. To one who has lived many years where the highways run due north, south, east and west it is nov city to-see them run zigzag. regardless of points of compass, leaving the fields ''cut bias. The varied scenery of the first few miles is delightful, then we enter thick woods and recall the lines, "Oh, solitude, where are the charms ?" &c., but soon emerge into open space, and after few more miles over hills we reach the thriv- ing village of Stafford Springs. This is a busy place. Main-st. wears city-ike ap- pearance. We call at The Press office, re- new our subscription, have pleasant chat with the editor, whom we have never be- fore met, and, to our surprise, find, by careful calculation, that we are fourteenth cousins. We resume our ride, and al soon lost in the wilderness. Occasionally we come to point where two ways di- verge, and nothing to indicate which one to take. But our driver is 8 Yankee, and never fails to take the right one. This is solution of the query why New England CTS are proverbially good guessers. In travelling over the country roads their guessing qualities are so often brought in- to requisition they soon become experts, hence the saying, "A Yankee for guess ing" At length we reach Wilmington de- pot, look about for Judge Carpenter, an old acquaintance, but he is not at home. We would like to turn aside into Holland to find our friends, Mrs. Clark and her son, the doctor, but time forbids. and we push on to South Wilmington, where we are hospitably entertained by s. D. Top Tiff and family, his son and daughters giv- ing us some fine music in the evening. Next morning we are on the road again, taking our host with us. He can tell stories by the hour, knows all the families in town, and should write history of Will lngton. Over the rough, rocky roads, through Daleville, up to the old home stead, where our childhood days were spent. The house has stood the storms of more than century, but is still habitable. We recall former days, seek the old play grounds, the trees that sheltered us, drink from the well, and hasten on to see our old friends, Mir. and Mrs. Ormsby. MT. O. is still hale and youthful in appearance, and Mrs. O's. engaging conversation and sparkling wit make us forget her seventy five years. Thence forward to the Hill, where we are cordially greeted by another dear old friend, Mrs. Lura Hull, who, tho elghty-two years of age, will challenge comparison with the young girls in activ- lty and efficiency. We spend pleasant hour with Mrs. Preston, and also meet the gifted writer, Mrs. Annie A. Preston. There are few here that we know. The dwellings and surroundings are much the same as forty years ago, but the people of those days, where are they? Early the following morning we are on the road again, stopping at the cemetery where so many of our beloved dead are resting. We pass through Glass Factory village, so | called, though there is nothing left to mark the spot where the glass works once stood. There should be twelve stones set up as memorial, that in after years when children inquire, "What mean these stones ?' they may be told of the former glory of the place. After long drive over the hills, through the vales, across the streams, and through the forests, we reach our destination, delighted with our trip, but almost certain the land is rougher, the rocks larger, the hills higher, and the roads narrower than in former years. It requires but brief stay among these peo- pie to note some characteristics which those of other sections might proftably emulate. Industry holds prominent DO sition in their catalogue of virtues. There are few idlers. Men, women and children find some remunerative work. A practical knowledge of "how to earn living'' is one of the branches early taught in the family, if not in the schools. Patience, perseverance and pluck are indigenious, and the boy of eighteen who has no money in the bank is not fair specimen of New England thrift and enterprise MB.